Tuesday July 19, 2011

Mbonswini Community in White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

While walking around the community and meeting families and individuals, I had the pleasure of meeting this little angel.  I'm unsure if his name is Tio or Dio but regardless, he was a blessing to meet.  It was really cute to see him strut around with the obvious confidence he had despite him being no more than three or four years old.  It looks like I met him right after a snack or meal as well, as he obviously had some left overs on his face.

Daily Dose of Art -- March 10, 2011

Impromptu Photo Shoot.  San Jose, Costa Rica.  August 2010.


A friend and I were exploring the local university when we noticed a large group of people gathering for what seemed like a protest or demonstration.  Come to find out, the students and professors were protesting the government's decision to cut back in the school's funding.  Seeing how we were foreigners with large cameras, we decided to play the 'press' card.  It worked.  People would pose for photos gladly and we were able to interact with a lot of them.  As we were walking along the sidewalk of the march, we ran into this gentlemen, who we began to engage in further conversation.  Seeing he had a tattoo, I asked him about it and commented on the detail.  I mentioned I wanted to photograph it and he took the liberty to take off his shirts to show the rest of them.  Thus began the impromptu photo shoot, which seemed like the only natural choice at this point.  These are the result.

Daily Dose of Art -- March 9, 2011

Kevin Ochs Photoshoot.  February 2010.


I'm on a roll with this shoot so why not ride it?  Here's the fourth in the series.  Also, take note that I'm living in Hawaii now and that is a 5 hour time difference from where I was.  A lot of the posts will most likely be later in the evening so don't be alarmed when you don't see the posts when you normally do.

Daily Dose of Art -- March 8, 2011

School boy in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.  August 15, 2010.


I've actually been waiting to post this picture for a while, as it is one of my top five favorite portraits of this past year.  I met him while my team was spending the day at a local school in town.  We were playing games in a small room and a few kids were standing along the wall so naturally we started photographing them.  He was somewhat of a shy little guy and posed for portraits as many times as I asked him.  I absolutely love his eyes and I see so much peace in them.  The blue background provides a perfect backdrop.

Daily Dose of Art -- March 7, 2011

Oh, Joe Paulson.  Here is another sample of the shoot I had the privilege of doing at the Vogue a few weeks ago.  It was fun to play around with the dim lit lighting.  Joe is an amazing musician so you should check out his music HERE.

Daily Dose of Art -- March 6, 2011

Kevin Ochs Photoshoot.  February 2010.


Time for round three of the Kevin Ochs Photoshoot.  You know sometimes everything just goes perfectly.  This shoot was one of those times.  This is such a cool image because it almost looks like a sketch.  Agree?

Daily Dose of Art -- March 2, 2011

I'm too excited about this shoot not to share another shot.  I had so much fun playing with different lighting techniques and set ups.  And thank goodness Kevin remembered he had a black blanket on his bed or else we wouldn't have had a black background.  I love the fact you can produce great shots that look like they were in a studio with blankets and a corner in a bedroom.  That's how you know you're resourceful.

What do you all think?  Leave your feedback below!

Daily Dose of Art -- March 1, 2011

Here's attempt number two and incorporating text into some photos.  This photo is actually a recent Daily Dose post of a boy named Cesar from the Ngobe Tribe in the northern mountains of Panama.  I absolutely love this verse because it is so true.  Our outward expression is a product of what we have in our heart, whether it be happiness, sadness, love, grief, or absolute elation, we are destined to live out what we have in our hearts.  Amen.

Daily Dose of Art -- February 28, 2011

Well I think I'm closing out of February with a bang.  I did shoots on back to back days and I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out.  I was able to shoot my friend Kevin Ochs this afternoon and played around a lot of different lights and lighting techniques.  I was able to get an interesting lens flare in this shot by placing the flash behind his head and using soft lights in front of him and this is the final product.  What do you think?

Check out my facebook fanpage here:  Jon Ryan Photography

Daily Dose of Art -- February 27, 2011

Today's Daily Dose is also a preview of my photoshoot I did this afternoon at The Vogue in Broad Ripple with Joe Paulson.  I had a lot of fun toying with different lighting techniques and props on their stage.  Thanks to his wife Amy for being my personal assistant!  This guy is one talented piano rocker so do yourself a favor and check out his myspace site here or his facebook fan page here.

Daily Dose of Art -- February 19, 2011

Look at those eyes.  I love taking pictures of eyes.  That's why I have so many portraits.  I met this little girl on August 12, 2010 in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.  My team visited a local school that day and was able to hang out with all of the children.  The wall behind her provided the perfect background too.

Critiques, comments, opinions, likes, and dislikes.  There is room for everything in the comment section below.

Check out my facebook fan page at Jon Ryan Photography.

Daily Dose of Art -- February 18, 2011

I've been exploring old shots from when I visited the Ngobe tribe in northern Panama in August 2010, and I keep coming across pictures that I didn't think much of at the time, but I love now.  I love it when that happens!  This photo was taken on the day we were leaving.  Every morning a few of the women would make us breakfast and would brew a huge pot of coffee over an open fire.  It was almost out of a movie the way it looked.  She is standing at the entry way of the kitchen (a small room with an open fire surrounded by walls of weak and weathered wood.  As a bunch of us were mingling and saying our goodbyes, I noticed this woman standing in the doorway, gazing out over the group of people and seemingly taking it all in.

Critiques, likes, dislikes, opinions.  I appreciate it all in the comment section.

Remember, check out my facebook fan page here:  Jon Ryan Photography.

Daily Dose of Art -- February 16, 2011

This is Cesar.  He's a young boy in the Ngobe Tribe in western Panama.  He looooved the camera.  He would always strike a pose and patiently wait while I got the exposure and frame I wanted.  Over the course of a few days while we were there, we became pretty close friends, despite the fact I didn't speak a single word other than 'hello' in his native language.  He's a part of the same tribe as this little boy, my Daily Dose from January 19.  Needless to say, the poverty these people face is heart-wrenching.  But the joy Cesar had was inspiring.

Comments, critiques, dislikes, and likes.  There's room for it all in the comment section!

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Remember, go to my Facebook fanpage Jon Ryan Photography and 'Like' it to be entered to win a free 8x10 print of your choice!
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Jenni Grinstead Photoshoot

I've been so excited to get these out.  Last week I was able to travel down to Louisville to do a quick but amazing photoshoot with my good friend Jenni Grinstead.  I'm very excited how they turned out!  Like what you see?  Book your shoot today!

Critiques, comments, likes, dislikes.  There's room for it all below in the comment section!

Visit my Facebook fan page here:  Jon Ryan Photography
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Daily Dose of Art -- February 14, 2011

Meet Julio.  I had the chance to meet this outgoing and spunky little guy in Ensenada, Mexico on July 9, 2010.  Being Valentines Day, I was pondering what picture/type of photo I should select for today's Daily Dose.  I must admit, I don't have a ton of cheesy love shots although I have a few in the engagement archives.  But on this day of 'love,'  I was wondering what love really means to all of us?  Does it mean things?  Does it mean time?  Frankly I'm not very well versed in the notion of romantic love, I'm single.  But I believe I have somewhat of an understanding of what Christ meant when he said "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  And Love your neighbor as yourself."  Again, somewhat of an understanding.  Christ also says that (excuse my paraphrase) "The greatest expression of love is the sacrificing of your own life for another."  Wow.  Can't say I've done that.
The reason I chose this shot is because it is through people and children like Julio that I have found love. Love as an expression and a common bond between two or more people.  I've recognized it in the poor because I believe in situations like these all other distractions and levels of human comfort are stripped.  So my question to you is where do you find your love?  My dream for the world is that love will never be found in a 'thing' but a 'who.'  

Please share your thoughts below!

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Daily Dose of Art -- February 11, 2011

What a cute little guy.  This boy's name is Cameron, "Cam" for short.  I had the joy of doing a mother and son shoot with him back on October 28, 2010.  I was absolutely obsessed with getting shots of his amazingly blue eyes.  Wouldn't you be?

Critiques, comments, likes, dislikes.  Leave them all! I appreciate and love feedback!

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Daily Dose of Art -- February 9, 2011

What a day.  Woke up at 6:00 to drive to Louisville to take headshots of my good friend Jenni Grinstead.  Arrive at 9am and shoot until 1pm.   Drive straight back to church at drop off pictures by 3:30pm.  Go straight to work at 5pm.  Get slammed at work and stay on until 11pm.  Drive straight to Anderson to drop off lighting equipment I used this morning and talk photography with Jeremiah for a few hours.  Back home:  3am.  BUT it was all worth it because all I wanted to do all day was edit these photos!

I was able to spend the better part of my morning with my good friend Jenni and have a blast taking some headshots for her.  She's a gorgeous girl and her humor matches her beauty for sure.  Stay tuned for a few more from this shoot!

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Daily Dose of Art -- February 8, 2011

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I met this woman on the streets of San Jose, Costa Rica on August 17, 2010.  I wish I knew her name but I was unable to find out much about her.  She is a homeless woman whom two friend and I ran into after a little while of exploring the neighborhood.  I tried to ask her name and what she was up to, but the only response I got was that she wanted my cheeseburger I was holding in my hand and some other jumbled phrases I couldn't make out.  Before I handed over the sandwich, I tried to get to know her a bit, but I later found out she was mentally unstable and/or high on drugs because she kept repeating broken words and phrases that didn't make any sense like 'Monkey!'  I willingly gave her my sandwich as long as she let me take a picture of her, which she did.  She really is a sweet woman, I just wish I was able to hear her story more.

Critiques. Opinions.  Likes.  Dislikes.  There's room for everything in the comment section below.

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Daily Dose of Art -- February 7, 2011

On August 23, 2010, my outreach team and I ventured over to the Atlantic coast of Panama from Panama City to the city of Colon.  We were planning on simply walking around the streets, taking pictures of the city and mingling with those who were willing to talk with us.  However, right before we began to explore, I asked a single child if I could take her picture.  She was in the park with us along with approximately 100 of her classmates, all dressed in their yellow uniforms.  Upon seeing me take her picture, an uproar began and almost instantly every child wanted their picture taken and wanted to be a part of the fun.  It was so neat to see about a thirty minute shoot between the kids and my team arise from one simple question.  Some friends and I ended up hanging out with the kids and teachers a little longer and had a chance to talk with them about their city and school.  What a fantastic day.

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Daily Dose of Art -- February 6, 2011

I met this little boy in a slum community in Ciudad de Guatemala (Guatemala City) on August 31, 2010. I love his little suit and the pink balloon was just priceless.  He was a relatively shy kid but his two sisters were just the opposite.  They loved the opportunity to have their picture taken and went crazy when I showed them their portrait afterwards.  This was such a great day and very eye opening at the same time.  At times you begin to question, "What did I do to deserve the opportunity and life I have?"  The only difference between myself and children like this is the circumstances under which we were born.